Somebody plagiarized me!! Can you help with an appropriate quote?

[Sparkly]

I just found out somebody plagiarized me (academia world).

I've written an email saying, in polite terms, that I know it, and that they need to do something about it before I do something about it. I feel I need to be nice and close with, "I realize this may seem petty to you, but to me it's very important."

Can you think of a great QUOTE to follow that? Something having to do with integrity? Maybe "to thine own self be true?" Anything else come to mind? (No plagiarism, please!)

[alittlelark]

1. " If you can't create something yourself,

deal with your inadequacy instead of stealing from others"

alittlelark

[Sparkly]

13. Always true

and I'd quote you, if I had the nerve! :hi:

[OrwellwasRight]

2. Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud?

Go here:

http://www.houseofquotes.com/quotes/integrity/
http://en.thinkexist.com/quotations/integrity/

On edit: Appropriately give credit to the original author, of course.

[Sparkly]

5. Thanks!

What a GREAT resource!!!

[brainshrub]

3. "You are sooooo busted!"

-brainshrub-

[Sparkly]

4. Actually that was my first response...

after "Beeeeaaaaatch!!!!"

[brainshrub]

6. May I suggest the following strategy:

After she apologizes, show mercy by not turning her in.

I don't know the particulars of this case, but even good people do stupid things. Perhaps their are extenuating circumstances?

Can you go into any detail? (Liberals love context.)

[Sparkly]

7. How'd you know it was a "she," anyway?

I won't 'turn her in' as long as she stops using my words.

It has to do with descriptions of an educational session. She lifted my description of MY work to describe her own (for a session she'll be doing for a significant performing arts organization). I'm not sure whether the publicity has already been printed, but I know she's disseminating my words in other ways.

There are certain words, combinations of words, and even an entire sentence that I've chosen and developed and refined over many years. And I've used them so widely, I'm not even sure whether she got them from me or a third source (something else I'm going to ask in that email).

[brainshrub]

8. The word "Beeeeaaaaatch!!!!" usually denotes a female target.

Sad but true.

But on the main subject at hand:

You should ask her were she got the material before you accuse her of plagiarism.

It could be a mistake. :shrug:

[Sparkly]

10. Oops

You have a point re: beeeaaatch.

I have a quote from my own website (a page not updated in two years) showing the virtually-identical quote.

I do plan to ask whether she got it from a third source in case somebody else lifted it and then gave her permission.

[hunter]

17. Ask her out...

Heh, I'm just being silly, but who knows, maybe she likes you!

If there isn't any real money or issues of academic integrity involved, it's not worth your anger.

Just for fun google some Star Trek or other sorts of "fan fiction." It often amazes me how so many different people could write exactly the same stories!

[Swamp Rat]

9. Why be polite about it if you were ripped off?

Plagiarism certainly became a problem after publishing was economically viable in the 19th C, but before then it was par for the course. Johann Sebastian Bach, for example, use to "steal" melodies and phrases from his contemporaries and vice versa (like Vivaldi and Handel) all the time. It was considered a compliment then, but why not now? - money.

On the other hand, if you are working on your diss or this is your life's work - if I were you - I'd make a BIG stink about it. In academia, as you know, this is a cardinal sin.

[Sparkly]

11. It's one of those "cardinal sin" things, imo

and I know what you mean about some "lifting" being flattery, in bygone eras -- in this case, it was just theft. ;(

[Swamp Rat]

14. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but deal with it you must.

If this was a student, then I advise be gentle. It may turn into a learning experience that will engender further understanding and respect. One of my former professors, Stephen Ambrose, was recently found to be plagiarizing, though I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt (he said it was a slip not citing the references) as his publishing schedule was horrendous right up 'till the day he passed away.

[Sparkly]

16. Wow -- this is no Stephen Ambrose

and it's not a student. It's more a teacher-teacher competitive thing, and not a circumstance where something would be quoted outright with a source cited.

I'd definitely tend to believe somebody like Stephen Ambrose without much question!

And sometimes, it doesn't matter.

(General Clark could plagiarize me ANY day...)

[Swamp Rat]

18. Oh, well then rip his/her head off!

If this is an academic battle, then the enemy has already lost the war! :D

PS Wes Clark RULES!

[helnwhls]

12. how about

do your own work, dickweed! In the world of academia, plagiarism is anyhting but petty. It is and should be a fireable offense.

[Sparkly]

15. Well, that's what I'm thinking but...

this is going to get around, and I want to make sure I'm not the one who's considered the beeeaaaatch. So I'm trying to be as professionally polite as possible. (But I am thinking what you're saying.)

[helnwhls]

19. do not want to be too pushy myself

But be a man girl! You are being stepped on. It is better to be known as a bitch than a mouse anyone can steal from with out so much as a by your leave. Give any one who wants to push you around again something to think about. Have some spine. Valuing your own work and worth does not make you a bitch.

Besides, the thief brings this all upon his/her own head. If I steal from my nieghbor and then flaunt the stolen goods, I am an idiot to expect my nieghbor to like me. I have broken basic social contract. The truth is that I am a thief. If that is the truth, I can not be shocked when that is what I am called in the street and other do not trust me. Actions have consequences.

[eileen from OH]

20. Is your work in print?

Even as part of a brochure or mass mailing letter? What is your relationship, job-wise, with this person? Are they a peer?

If they are, in any way, in a competitive position - either within your business or just within your field, I wouldn't worry about quotes. If you get a response, and apology and a pledge not to do it again let it go. You've made your point. (But watch 'em!)

If they do not respond in a reasonable time, write again (this time on paper), cite your previous note and your "disappointment" that they have not acknowledged their error. State that their lack of response indicates to you that they find nothing wrong with using the work of others and representing it as their own. At the end of the letter, CC that fucker to anyone you think should know, including your attorney (even if there's nothing legal you can do, it doesn't hurt.)

As a writer myself, I have zero patience/tolerance for those who steal my work, no matter if it's plagiarism or photocopying my scripts. (See my website: www.mysteriesbymoushey.com)

Why is it that people who wouldn't dream of shoplifting somehow think it's okay to steal the work of others? Why is it that the work of writers is accorded such little respect that others think it is free to take?

eileen "plays bloody hardball" from OH